BocelliOnline

[Anna in NY]

La Musica in Manchester ~ Concert Reports Welcome!
Please feel free to post your concert reports here ! We'd love to hear from you!
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Beddu Turridu !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Susan]

I have never put a concert report on here before although I have been to quite a few Andrea concerts now and stiil got Antwerp to go to in November . The time goes so quickly and I am kind of in a hypnotic state or mesmerised for the duration of the show the, voice is just so amazing and has that affect on me ! Wow what a night..Andrea looking resplendent as ususal..the time went so quickly! Andrea seemed nervous at first and as usual his left hand was clenched and fiddly ..he also seemed to be having a slight problem with the position of the stage microphone,but the audience soon warmed and a few shouts of Ti amo Andrea seemed to lighten the mood .The Pearlfishers duet in the first section with baritone Gianfranco Montresor was breathtaking..I thought equally as good as the Bryn Terfel one .Andrea changed his jacket to a beautiful white one..he changed microphones to a hand held one also told us he had changed his jacket not because it was dirty but to change the atmosphere because the repertoir was different..He misssed Brindisi at the beginning but kept to the programme for the rest and did 2 encores ..he sang Can't help falling in love and The prayer ..then finally Time to say goodbye.. the programme said there was special guest was Rosalia Misseri but I don't remember her appearance unless she was part of the choir or orchestra.... Andrea Manchester loves you please come back soon

Grazie

Susan[/img]

[Sally]

I also was lucky enough to got to the Manchester concert last night. I booked quite a long time ago and, mindful of the fact that I would only just have come back from holiday, I settled for a £40 seat. I live in Manchester so I could even pick the tickets up myself from the MEN arena and therefore avoid paying what I consider are exorbitant booking fees from Ticketmaster. When I was getting ready last night I was considering whether or not it was worth taking my camera. I decided not to as my seat was right at the back, so high up and far from the stage that I thought I would really have to rely on the big screens to get a proper look at Andrea. How I wish I had taken my camera now! When I got inside the arena with about 30 minutes to spare there were literally thousands of people milling about. I was looking for the entrance to my block and having a bit of trouble locating the right number. Eventually I found what I thought was the entrance and joined what I thought was the queue to go inside. When I got to the front of the queue I gave my ticket to an official who to my surprise swapped it for another one. He then told me I had been given a regrade. I couldn't believe it when I found my new seat! I was alone in the middle of a row about 30 yards from the stage on the left first tier, about 5 rows back! I could see Andrea quite clearly even without the binoculars I'd taken with me! The couple in front of me told me that they had paid £90 each for their tickets plus booking fees. Of course I was very pleased that I had been given a better seat, but a little sad for Andrea that all the seats hadn't been sold and sorrier still for those who were still sitting right up there where I thought I was going to be, miles away from the stage. I would say that the arena was only about just over 3/4 full, but that's still a lot of satisfied fans!

This is the 5th time I've seen Andrea live. I always worry that he will let me down somehow, but he never does. As Susan said, he did look a little nervous at the beginning and I don't think the initial problem with the microphone did anything to help. I think he always relaxes a little when his first partner for a duet joins him on stage. He sung a few of my favourites. I love O Suave Fanciulla, the Pearfishers, and Di Quella Pira and I thought both the baritone and the soprano did Andrea justice. Daniela Bruera looked beautiful in her long white dress, a little ruched up on one side and with a black lace off the shoulder bodice. They seemed to get on well, sharing quite a few little asides going on and off stage and during the applause. I would like her to have sung The Prayer with Andrea. I think it better if two people share the harmonies on this lovely song. I thought he did three encores, Susan - The Prayer, I Can't Help Falling in Love (swoon, swoon) and of course Time to Say Goodbye.

When Andrea changed into his white jacket for his pop repertoire, a lady near me shouted "SEXY" and I don't think anybody disagreed with that. I do think Andrea is working too hard, though. To me he looked just a little too thin, especially when compared to a fairly recent picture I have seen of his brother. They are both big men, and neither are striplings any more. I think as you get older you need a little big of flesh to cover your bones. Anyway, it was a wonderful concert, cheap at twice the price for £40 and if I can't afford to pay for a better seat next year, then I will certainly ask for a regrade!

P.S. I kept looking for you near the front, Tina and Doh, but there were so many people there. I wonder what you two thought of the concert?
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"Where are we REALLY going? Always home."

[Anna in NY]

[Anna in NY]

[Tina]

Andrea Bocelli in concert.
Manchester October 5th, 2006.
Accompanied by; Czech National Symphony Orchestra
Prague chamber choir
Conducted by Maestro Marcello Rota
Soprano, Daniela Bruera
Baritone, Gianfranco Montresor.

Once again we travelled to Manchester, in the incessant pouring heavy rain! The visibility on the motorway was terrible, and the journey which usually would take us 45 minutes, took us over 2 hours! But nothing would stop us from seeing Andrea Bocelli! Certainly not rain!
Once safely at the Hotel, i met up with my great friend Doh, who had travelled on the train from Northamptonshire, it has been over a year since me last met, and that is way too long!
We had some time to kill, so we enjoyed a stroll around Manchester centre, stopped for a sandwich and a pot of tea, then we went back to the Hotel to ready ourselves for the evening so eagerly awaited.
Doh and I had arranged to meet another fan, Marusca, for a meal at 6pm, and i got a phone call in my room, it was Marusca who was waiting for us in the reception! Chris and I hurried down to meet her, and there she was, with her husband Geremy, they were already sitting chatting with Doh.
It was lovely to meet another new fan, and as we were exchanging hugs and kisses, another lady, Suzan, joined us! Suzan had read on the official site that we were meeting there, so the more the merrier, and we went to eat.
Well, unusually for me, everything went to plan! We had a nice meal and a bottle of red wine, and we talked non stop, getting to know each other! It was lovely!
Marusca is a beautiful lady, and very elegant with long black hair as is usual for an Italian!
My partner Chris was made up, as it gave him a chance to practise his by now quite rusty Italian! LOL
Unfortunately, Doh's partner Jim could not make it as he had the Flu and was really very ill, poor man.
After the meal, we took a taxi to the M.E.N arena, joined the queue, and Doh who had Jims spare ticket, very kindly offered it to Marusca, as it was a much better seat, 6th row centre!
Marusca was very excited, as it was her first time seeing Andrea in concert, and what a great view she had of him!
Sitting in my seat, 4th row centre, i was looking around trying to see Sally, but it was impossible to find her in the huge crowd. But, i did see Dorothy and her daughter Suzanne, who had travelled all the way from Cypruss to be there, they are also attending the Wembley concert next sunday!
Well, the orchestra took their seats, Rota came out to big applause, the lights dimmed, and we were off!
The first piece was Danza Slava no.2 by Dvorak. The orchestra were superb and i must say i recognised some of them from previous concerts.
Rota then left the stage and returned with Andrea from stage left. The audience welcomed him with rapturous applause, as befits this great man!
Andrea was wearing his Armani black tuxedo, white shirt and white bow tie. He looked a little nervous as he always does at the start, just a tight fist now and again showing his stage fright.he launched into brindisi from cavalleria Rusticana. The Prague chamber choir was a joy to behold! I have always said this song NEEDS a choir to do it full justice, and boy did they do it well!
Then the baritone with Andrea took to the stage to sing Au fond tu temple saint, from the Pearlfishers by Bizet. Gianfranco Montresor had a deep rich voice which blended perfectly with Andrea's.
Then followed Aria de Vilja from Lehars Merry Widow. Andrea was relaxing a bit more by now, blessing us with his gorgeous smile after every song, i think he was enjoying himself! He came out with the Soprano Daniella Bruera and they sang O Suave fanciulla from La Boheme. Daniella looked radiant in her lovely gown, and she sang with all her heart, just lovely!
Next came Va Pensiero from Verdi's Nabucco, which was stunning, and then came Gianfranco again singing Toreador from Carmen.
Andrea came back on stage, again to huge enrapturous applause, to treat us to Di Quella Pira from Verdi's Trovatore, then gave us another Verdi, Terzetto. He nailed the high C perfectly!
Forgive me if i have missed a few songs, but the programme did change from the original, no E Lucevan le Stelle this time.
Intermission now, which gave me a chance to speak to Doh and Marusca. Marusca was mesmerized! The look on her face was perfect! lol I think she was near to tears!
The interval went by so fast, then we took our seats to enjoy the second half.
Rota started off with Valzer Verdi, from Il Gattopardo, and then Andrea came back on stage wearing a white jacket!
He spoke to the audience, saying, 'You will see i have changed my jacket, it is not dirty, it is just that now we change the mood'!
He sand Vieni sul mar, which was a great treat for me as i was hoping i would hear this song at last! It was totally gorgeous, and then he sang 'Granada', i was hoping for this song too, and he did not dissapoint! I used my mobile phone to ring my friend Lorna so that she could hear it, and she did, loud and clear! lol
Next came Amacord, and then Funiculi funicula, this song was also a first for me hearing him sing it! Such a treat!
Mamma, and La Strada followed, and then it was the encores.
As the first bars of Besame mucho started, the audience went absolutely wild! Whistling, cheering, and a few shouts of Ti'amo Andrea, we love you Andrea, and will you marry me? were heard, which made Andrea laugh, lol
Somos novios, because we believe, and it's impossible followed, all to rapturous applause once again. Andrea gave us his famous wave, and he was gone.
Then followed a medley of noise from the audience, much shouting, whistling and foot stamping, because we all knew that there would be one last song, and then Andrea appeared with daniella to sing, of course his anthem, Time to say Goodbye. Even after all these years, this song when he sings it live at the end of a concert, always brings tears to my eyes.
A final wave and he was gone.
One thing i did notice though, they were not presented with any flowers at the end?? First time i have ever seen this.
But what an evening and what a fantastic concert, possibly the best i have ever been to, but i say that every year! lol
As the crowd dispersed, myself Doh and Marusca went to see the back stage security to see if it was possible for us to meet Andrea for two minutes. I had previously emailed Christina gelsi about this possibility, and i did receive a reply from Barbara Vitali, who said she could not promise anything, but to ask the security after the concert.
We waited for twenty minutes, all with bated breath and our litle hearts pounding in our humble chests.
Unfortunately, it was not meant to be. We were told that Andrea wanted to eat now, and he will be leaving immediately for Birmingham.Of course, we understood this, but it was still heartwrenchingly disappointing, especialy for Doh as it was her birthday, and it would have been the icing on the cake for her, and also for Marusca, who SO desperately wanted to heet her hero.
It was no surprise for me, as i have tried this at every UK concert, and the reply has always been the same. I think now i will give up! Maybe if we were in Italy or America we would have had a better chance? Who knows, but such is life!

Marusca's husband chauffeured us all back to the hotel, and we said our good byes, in Italian fashion! No body wanted to leave each other! lol
But we have promised to meet up again, and im sure that we will!
It was nearing midnight by now, so Doh, Chris and I celebrated for another two hours her birthday! It was fun watching her opening her presents and going over the evening in great detail!
It was a splendid day and night, one never to be forgotten, until the next time that is!
Bravo Andrea, we love you!
I will sent some photographs to Renate, watch this space!
Tina xxx
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La tua voce e come un dolce dolores nel mio cuore! Non c'e nessuno migliore di te!!

[dodona]

[dodona]

I have just read your post/report Tina....it just about says it all amica. I think the overwhelming enjoyment of my trip to Manchester, (apart from the weather) was in no small measure thanks to You Tina and Chris. Your generosity, your enthusiasm, your kindness... your sincerity, your love for Andrea, and your willingness to share all this with as many people as possible. Thank you Amica. You a treasure.
Luv
Do.

[maruscatoscana]

Ciao Do

I've made it here at this forum!
For me was very special to meet Tina & Chris and You, and also to be able to share the joys of Andrea's concert together. What a memorable evening, and it was your Birthday! I can't remember if I said to you Happy Birthday, you must escuse me if I didn't, the exiting emotions and the elating thrill to see Andrea was too overwhelming for me, I was behond normality, but I did my best to keep calm & composed.

Bacioni

marusca

My avatar: lets see if you can guess which one is Andrea and which on is Alberto?

[Anna in NY]

Buonasera Marusca!

Piacere! Welcome to BocelliOnline!
Our friends Tina and Doh shared some photos with me of their evening at Manchester, and you were in one or two of the pictures. How very lovely you all looked! It was easy for me to see that a wonderful time was had by all. Aren't they fabulous??

Il suo primo concerto! Auguri! Now that you've seen Andrea in concert for the first time, you'll be looking forward to the next !

Tanti Saluti!
Anna
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Beddu Turridu !!!!!!!!!!!!

[maruscatoscana]

Ciao Anna

Grazie per il welcome. I'm glad you 've seen the photos, I haven't seen those yet, I would love to, I'm sureTina will send them to me.

Yes, it was my first but not last concert. I read on the 2007 schedule that Andrea is doing the concert of the heart in Genova, and it's going to be on the day of my birthday, 19 of January, I'm considering going, It would be so great! Plus I could pop by and say hi to my relatives in Tuscany.

Saluti

Marusca

[Anna in NY]

[Tina]

Anna, you are a darling!
It was my pleasure to share my experience with everyone here, if i can bring an ounze of joy, or a smile, or brighten up somebodys day, so be it!
Forza Bocelli!
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La tua voce e come un dolce dolores nel mio cuore! Non c'e nessuno migliore di te!!